Good news, lousy news

Miami improves playo≠ position but may have lost QB Tannehill

DOLPHINS 26, CARDS 23

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.» Ryan Tannehill threw three touchdown passes before being sidelined with a knee injury that could end his season, and Andrew Franks kicked a 21yard field goal as time expired to help the Miami Dolphins beat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23 on Sunday.

Coach Adam Gase said the Dolphins fear Tannehill tore his ACL, which would sideline him for the rest of the season.

“Doesn’t look good,” Gase said. “We’ve got to go to the next man up, just like every other position.”

Tannehill limped to the locker room late in the third quarter after being hit around the legs by defensive tackle Calais Campbell as he released a completion.

The Dolphins led 21-9 when Tannehill left, and backup Matt Moore failed to lead Miami to a first down in his first three series.

That allowed the Cardinals to mount touchdown drives of 99 and 50 yards to tie the game, but then Miami forced a punt to start at the Arizona 47 with 1:29 left.

Moore threw a 12-yard completion to Kenny Stills for a first down, and threw long to Stills for 29 yards to set up Franks’ winning kick.

Tannehill went 15-for-20 for 195 yards. He returned to the sideline red-eyed to watch the end of the game and trade hugs with teammates.

Tannehill was on crutches in the locker room and didn’t talk to reporters after the game.

The Dolphins (8-5) won for the seventh time in the past eight games and helped their bid to end an eight-year playoff drought, moving ahead of the Broncos. The Cardinals (5-7-1) fell further behind in the race for the final NFC wild-card berth.

Occasional heavy rain resulted in a sloppy game, resulting in four turnovers by Arizona — all in the first 20 minutes — and three by Miami. The Dolphins overcame 14 penalties for 118 yards, and Arizona had seven for 54.

Arizona missed a field-goal attempt and two extra points, with one blocked PAT returned for a two-point conversion.

The Cardinals’ Carson Palmer went 18for-33 for 145 yards with two interceptions.

Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks (3) celebrates with teammates in Miami rain Sunday after beating the Cardinals with a 21-yard field goal on the last play. Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill suffered a knee injury that could end his season. Mike Ehrmann, Getty...